Alexander II Debates

• My opinion for deciding how liberal Russian government was from 1855 to 1881 is that it was not liberal
• 3 factors supporting Russian government was liberal?

  • Emancipation Edict
  • Zemstva introduction
  • Glasnost
• 3 factors challenging the Russian government was liberal?

  • tsar was forced to introduce Zemstva and regretted it immediately (liberal members began criticising the Zemstva)
  • had much liberal opposition e.g. People's Will who assassinated him for not making enough liberal changes
  • only real change was abolishment of Personal chancellery of his imperial majesty and introduction of council of ministers
• in my opinion the reforms made by Alexander II to improve the status of Russian peasants were limited
• 3 factors supporting reforms made by Alexander II improved status of peasants?

  • Emancipation Edict - allowed to own property and marry whoever
  • Nobles had to hand over proportions of land to peasants (reduced their land by 40%)
  • Zemstva gave peasantry a voice
• 4 factors challenging the idea reforms by Alexander II improved status of Russian peasants?

  • peasants had to pay redemption payments over 49 years (right to land not acquired until after payments)
  • peasants allocated poorer land - made it hard to pay redemption payments
  • Mir were very strict with their administration of payments
  • Peasant housing were the izbas
• i agree with the statement that Alexander II's reforms were due to the Crimean War
• 3 factors showing Alexander II's reforms were down to the Crimean War?

  • showed that serfdom under autocratic rule wasn't beneficial for modern warfare - led to introduction of the Zemstva
  • army was a bunch of serfs who were not trained = higher chance of revolt or lack of commitment - led to Emancipation in the hope it would make them more loyal
  • soldiers were poorly supplied - lead to proto management of the economy and focus on industrialisation to improve weapon supply
• 2 factors showing Alexander II's reforms were not due to the Crimean War?

  • there was already pressure to abolish serfdom as it was seen as immoral
  • demands from politicians for more work on projects such as railway routes
• i disagree with the statement that issues relating the Empire and minorities were neglected by Alexander II
• a factor showing Alexander II neglected issues relating to the Empire and minorities?

  • kept his fathers policies towards Baltic Germans despite rise in nationalism
• 3 factors showing Alexander II did not neglect issues relating to the Empire and minorities?

  • Polish revolt of 1863 was intervened by Russian army as they captured and executed rebel leaders
  • didn't attempt to Russify central east Asia as he knew the complexity of communication
  • allowed practical measures for Jews - some Jews were allowed to live outside of Pale of Settlement